How to Turn on Windows Defender in Windows 10?

Are you having trouble activating Windows Defender on your Windows 10 computer? If so, you are not alone. Many users have difficulty turning on the built-in antivirus protection available on the Windows 10 platform. Don’t worry, though – it’s easy to get Windows Defender up and running. In this article, we will walk you through the steps to turn on Windows Defender in Windows 10.

Activate Windows Defender on Windows 10

Windows Defender is an antivirus program built into Windows 10. It is enabled by default and helps protect your computer from malware and other threats. To ensure your computer is always protected, you should ensure Windows Defender is always running on your system. In this article, we will show you how to turn on Windows Defender in Windows 10.

Enable Windows Defender in Windows 10

The first step to enable Windows Defender in Windows 10 is to open the Windows Security app. You can do this by typing “Windows Security” into the Start menu and selecting the top result. This will open the Windows Security app, which will show a variety of security-related settings and options.

Next, click on the “Virus & threat protection” option in the left-hand menu. This will open the “Virus & threat protection” page, which will show a variety of security-related settings. On this page, you should see a toggle switch that says “Real-time protection.” Ensure that this toggle switch is turned on. If it is not, click on it to turn it on.

Configure Windows Defender Settings in Windows 10

Once you have enabled Windows Defender in Windows 10, you can configure its settings to suit your needs. To do this, open the Windows Security app, click on the “Virus & threat protection” option in the left-hand menu, and then click on the “Manage settings” link. This will open the “Virus & threat protection settings” page, which will show all of the settings related to Windows Defender.

From here, you can adjust the settings to suit your needs. For example, you can enable or disable cloud-based protection, choose whether or not to scan USB drives, and configure your real-time protection settings. Once you have finished configuring your settings, click the “Save changes” button to save your changes.

Check the Status of Windows Defender in Windows 10

Once you have enabled and configured Windows Defender in Windows 10, you can check its status to make sure it is working properly. To do this, open the Windows Security app, click on the “Virus & threat protection” option in the left-hand menu, and then click on the “Protection updates” link. This will open the “Protection updates” page, which will show the status of Windows Defender.

If Windows Defender is running properly, you should see a green checkmark next to the “Protection status” heading. If you do not see the green checkmark, this means that Windows Defender is not running properly. To fix this, you can try disabling and re-enabling Windows Defender, or you can try running a full scan.

Check for Windows Defender Updates in Windows 10

In addition to ensuring Windows Defender is running properly, you should also check for updates for Windows Defender. To do this, open the Windows Security app, click on the “Virus & threat protection” option in the left-hand menu, and then click on the “Check for updates” button. This will check for any available updates for Windows Defender.

If there are any available updates, they will be downloaded and installed automatically. Once the updates have been installed, you should see a green checkmark next to the “Protection updates” heading, indicating that your computer is now fully protected.

Disable Windows Defender in Windows 10

If you no longer want to use Windows Defender, you can disable it in Windows 10. To do this, open the Windows Security app, click on the “Virus & threat protection” option in the left-hand menu, and then click on the “Real-time protection” toggle switch to turn it off. This will disable Windows Defender, and your computer will no longer be protected from malware and other threats.

If you ever want to re-enable Windows Defender, you can follow the steps in this article to turn it back on.

Related Faq

Q1: What is Windows Defender?

Answer: Windows Defender is an anti-malware program that is included with the Windows 10 operating system and is designed to protect your computer from viruses, spyware, and other malicious software. It is also known as Microsoft Defender and provides real-time protection against online threats.

Q2: How do I turn on Windows Defender in Windows 10?

Answer: To turn on Windows Defender in Windows 10, first open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key + I on your keyboard. Then, select Update & Security. In the Windows Security section, click on the Open Windows Defender Security Center button. Once the Windows Defender Security Center opens, select the Virus & threat protection option. Finally, click the Turn on button to enable Windows Defender.

Q3: Is Windows Defender enough to protect my computer?

Answer: Windows Defender provides basic protection against malware and other malicious threats, but it’s not enough to provide comprehensive protection. While Windows Defender is a good first line of defense, it’s important to supplement this protection with additional security software, such as an antivirus program or a firewall.

Q4: Do I need to update Windows Defender?

Answer: Yes, it is important to keep Windows Defender updated in order to stay protected from the latest threats. Windows Defender will automatically update itself when Windows 10 is running, but you can also manually check for updates by opening the Windows Defender Security Center and clicking the Check for Updates button.

Q5: Does Windows Defender slow down my computer?

Answer: Windows Defender will not significantly slow down your computer, as it only uses a small amount of system resources. However, if your computer is already low on resources, running additional security software, such as an antivirus program, may slow down your computer.

Q6: Is Windows Defender free?

Answer: Yes, Windows Defender is free and is included with Windows 10. You do not need to purchase a separate license or subscription in order to use it. However, if you want additional protection, you may need to purchase additional security software, such as an antivirus program.

If you’re looking for a secure way to protect your computer from malicious software, then turning on Windows Defender in Windows 10 is the way to go. With just a few easy steps, you can ensure your computer is safe from viruses, malware, and other threats. Follow our guide to turn on Windows Defender in Windows 10, and you’ll have the peace of mind that your computer is secure.